Writing piece 1 - Analytical essay on 'The Crucible' (60 mins).
Go through every single piece of information on this wiki page - follow the links to refresh your memory on each of the characters, follow the Sparknotes link, read over your answers to the questions that we did in class.
I have collated a document for you containing notes on the characters, themes and an act-by-act analysis of the play. Please take this *rare* opportunity of being given notes on the text and use it well by *actually reading it*.
In case you get mixed up with your characters: charactermap_crucible.jpg
Below is a concept map where you can think about to what extent each of the characters were to blame for the Salem Witch Hunt:
Complete the quotes activity you were given in class. You will also need to find your own powerful quotes from the play that you can use - refer to the presentation below if you have forgotten how to integrate quotes into your essays.
You will not be able to 'get by' with a limited understanding of the play, so studying is extremely important.
Extra Practice Essay Questions The Crucible
Many people were to blame for the tragedy that was the Salem Witch Hunts. To what extent do you agree?
The Salem Witch Hunt began with Abigail’s rivalry with Elizabeth Proctor, and was fueled by the townspeople’s grudges against one another. Discuss.
John Proctor says ‘We are what we always were in Salem, but now the crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law’. In what ways does John believe that ‘vengeance is walking Salem’?
For each of the characters complete the wiki page answering the questions for each of the topics, include page numbers and/or specific examples. Use expressive and detailed language when answering the questions and complex and insightful comments when completing this task.
ACT 1 Why might Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam have responded they way they did when they were caught in the forest?
For what reason/s would the doctors have confirmed the superstitious fears of the townspeople?
Why did Abigail change her tone so dramatically, from denial and reason to complete outcry of witchcraft?
What does the term ‘there be no blush about my name in this town, sir’ mean?
The Coreys and Proctors immediately suspect ‘mischief’ is at play – why do you think these families respond differently to those in Salem Village?
What is Rebecca Nurse’s first reaction to the claims when she sees Betty Parris?
How does Anne Putnam react when Rebecca Nurse voices her views?
In what ways is Abigail’s handling of the situation (crying out in repentance, blaming Tituba) indicative of the way that Salem society functions?
How does Tituba handle the situation and what are her motives?
What flaws in the justice system were posed by others being present when Tituba is being interrogated?
Why is there such rejoicing when the accused are named? Is this a ‘normal’ reaction to such an event?
ACT 2 ‘I never knew what pretence Salem is’. What does Abigail mean by this and also when she calls John Proctor ‘the man who put knowledge in my heart’?
Why is John Proctor hesitant to go into the Village and tell the court what Abigail said to him about ‘just dancing’, and why is this relevant to his forgetting of the last commandment?
Why does John Proctor not go to church anymore, and what does this say about his character?
Why does John Proctor wonder if his ‘story will be credited in such a court’?
What is John Proctor saying about truth and justice when he says ‘There are them that will swear to anything before they’ll hang’?
Why does John Proctor call Hale ‘Pontius Pilate’?
How have Hale’s views on what is occurring in Salem changed over the course of Act 2? Provide two contrasting quotes to support your analysis.
ACTS 3 & 4
What does Danforth mean when he asks John ‘is your purpose somewhat larger’?
Why does John Proctor cry out ‘God is dead’?
‘Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!...I have given you my soul, leave me my name!’ What does John mean by this?
‘He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him’. What does Elizabeth Proctor mean by this?
Exam Revision
Writing piece 1 - Analytical essay on 'The Crucible' (60 mins).Go through every single piece of information on this wiki page - follow the links to refresh your memory on each of the characters, follow the Sparknotes link, read over your answers to the questions that we did in class.
I have collated a document for you containing notes on the characters, themes and an act-by-act analysis of the play. Please take this *rare* opportunity of being given notes on the text and use it well by *actually reading it*.
In case you get mixed up with your characters: charactermap_crucible.jpg
Below is a concept map where you can think about to what extent each of the characters were to blame for the Salem Witch Hunt:
Complete the quotes activity you were given in class. You will also need to find your own powerful quotes from the play that you can use - refer to the presentation below if you have forgotten how to integrate quotes into your essays.
You will not be able to 'get by' with a limited understanding of the play, so studying is extremely important.
Extra Practice Essay Questions
The Crucible
Many people were to blame for the tragedy that was the Salem Witch Hunts. To what extent do you agree?
The Salem Witch Hunt began with Abigail’s rivalry with Elizabeth Proctor, and was fueled by the townspeople’s grudges against one another. Discuss.
Historical Context
McCarthyism in America in the 1950'sSalem Witch Hunt of 1692
Puritanism
The 17th Century
Resources
SAC 1 - Analytical Essay:
A Practice Essay Question:
John Proctor says ‘We are what we always were in Salem, but now the crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law’. In what ways does John believe that ‘vengeance is walking Salem’?Using Quotes as evidence
General Resources
Interactive map of SalemChronology of the witch trials
Wikipedia - Salem witch trials
Famous American Trials website
Wikipedia - Theocracy
Sparknotes on The Crucible
The Age Education articles - article 1 - article 2
Activities
Quote Collector PageCharacterisation
For each of the characters complete the wiki page answering the questions for each of the topics, include page numbers and/or specific examples. Use expressive and detailed language when answering the questions and complex and insightful comments when completing this task.Questions on the play
ACT 1Why might Betty Parris and Ruth Putnam have responded they way they did when they were caught in the forest?
For what reason/s would the doctors have confirmed the superstitious fears of the townspeople?
Why did Abigail change her tone so dramatically, from denial and reason to complete outcry of witchcraft?
What does the term ‘there be no blush about my name in this town, sir’ mean?
The Coreys and Proctors immediately suspect ‘mischief’ is at play – why do you think these families respond differently to those in Salem Village?
What is Rebecca Nurse’s first reaction to the claims when she sees Betty Parris?
How does Anne Putnam react when Rebecca Nurse voices her views?
In what ways is Abigail’s handling of the situation (crying out in repentance, blaming Tituba) indicative of the way that Salem society functions?
How does Tituba handle the situation and what are her motives?
What flaws in the justice system were posed by others being present when Tituba is being interrogated?
Why is there such rejoicing when the accused are named? Is this a ‘normal’ reaction to such an event?
ACT 2
‘I never knew what pretence Salem is’. What does Abigail mean by this and also when she calls John Proctor ‘the man who put knowledge in my heart’?
Why is John Proctor hesitant to go into the Village and tell the court what Abigail said to him about ‘just dancing’, and why is this relevant to his forgetting of the last commandment?
Why does John Proctor not go to church anymore, and what does this say about his character?
Why does John Proctor wonder if his ‘story will be credited in such a court’?
What is John Proctor saying about truth and justice when he says ‘There are them that will swear to anything before they’ll hang’?
Why does John Proctor call Hale ‘Pontius Pilate’?
How have Hale’s views on what is occurring in Salem changed over the course of Act 2? Provide two contrasting quotes to support your analysis.
ACTS 3 & 4
What does Danforth mean when he asks John ‘is your purpose somewhat larger’?Why does John Proctor cry out ‘God is dead’?
‘Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!...I have given you my soul, leave me my name!’ What does John mean by this?
‘He have his goodness now, God forbid I take it from him’. What does Elizabeth Proctor mean by this?